How to Pour Tea

Agnes McCall Parker was the founder and director of the Parker School of Etiquette, Personality, and Speech in Washington, D.C. In this photograph from August 1953, Ms. Parker shows a group of her students the proper way to pour tea from a correctly set tea table. This photograph is from the Oliver Atkins Photograph collection, one of two collections currently being processed with a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. This photograph demonstrates Ollie Atkins’ distinct talent. For example, he captured everyone in the crowd by using the reflection in the mirror. The photograph is also an excellent example of early 1950s culture. The grant provides funds so that staff can discover these unique images and make them known to researchers.

Agnes McCall Parker

Oliver F. Atkins Photograph Collection, Box 13, Folder 22